Wednesday, August 10, 2016

It can't be that time already...... Ugh!! Why does the summer go so fast?

Today I got to work in my classroom. It actually felt great to set things up. It's bittersweet. We are sad to see the summer go so quickly but the new year possibilities are endless. What other profession gets to start all over every year? We get a new class and a new beginning. Although I hate to see summer disappear, I am excited for the new year.

This is the progress I made on the first day:

I love my classroom rules but they needed an update. So after working all day in my classroom I came home and made some new ones with Melonheadz Clipart. These are free in my store.

Monday, June 20, 2016

I applied for Pinnacle Leader this year. I went through extensive application process including classroom observation and interview. I have always wanted to be a pinnacle leader! Here is my role as a Pinnacle leader.

Enhance existing 21st Century professionals to work in Gaston County Schools who will demonstrate the integration of proven technology into the Common Core and Essential Standards.

Train participants in creating learner-centered classrooms where technology is a common tool for instruction and learning.

Create a cohort of teachers who will serve as technology leaders and mentors in their respective schools and assist the instructional technology facilitators in professional learning.

Provide enrichment for existing technology leaders in our schools.

Elements of Pinnacle training will include but are not limited to the study of working with adult learners, technology integration, learner-centered vs. teacher-centered environments and emerging technologies that impact student learning.

So, while most teachers were enjoying their first week of summer vacation. I was enjoying learning all about technology integration. We had a four days of intensive training. Most days I left my brain was fried and I couldn't put a sentence together. I have never had a professional development workshop that changed your life, but that is exactly what pinnacle did. It changed my thinking and I will never teach the same way I use too.

We were greeted Monday morning with a new Chromebook and iPad. I will also get a cart of 15 Chromebooks and 10 iPads for my students.

Our day consisted of working on our PLN and PDP. We got to learn about SAMR model through a ice cream analogy.

We got to put our professional development goals on a Monopoly game board and collect stickers of all our break out sessions. Teachers love stickers!!! We also love complete things and checking off list.

We also got to do a book study. My book was on digital leadership. I learned so much.

Some of the other Pinnacle leaders did their book study on Teaching like a Pirate. We got to do a google hangout with the Author Dave Burgess. He was very inspiring and energetic. I ordered his book right away so I could read it also.

One of my favorite projects were Stop Motion Movie Maker. It took us an hour and half to make a 9 second video. However, it was so much fun and I can't wait to try it with my students.

We learned so many things, I can not wait to use them in my classroom. We also practice our timing on presenting. I did a presentation on the characteristic of a leader.

Speaking on leaders..... We had the very best leaders. They were phenomenal.

This was such a great week, It was certainly life changing. I can not wait to use everything I learned with my students.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

My students had so much fun making them. They begged to do Chatterpix with their football players. We had indoor recess so the students did their Chatterpix then. I love my sweet students. I love when they are excited about learning.

My students working on their Chatterpix projects.

Our school also showed our Panther Pride!! Not only is the Panther stadium about 30 mins away, our school mascot is also the Panthers!

We used the app Do Ink to make a green screen movie. The students made their predictions.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

While everyone is snowed in. Please check out the Read Aloud Project. In September, I got to go to a two day workshop on The Read Aloud Project. We learned about the components of a read aloud with an emphasis on key aspects of common core, including quality text-dependent questions, improved tasks and a focus on academic vocabulary. The Read Aloud project has free common core aligned lessons. My team got to create a lesson. I will let you know when it is uploaded.

I know.... I haven't blogged much. We have been doing such amazing things in the classroom. I have been so busy but I can't wait to share everything.

The superintendent came to my classroom!! It was so excited. He ask me about my son. I couldn't believed he remember me. We discussed the transition from elementary to middle school. I still can't believe my son is in middle school!

My students are so sweet!!

Have you heard about Naeir? Naeir offers teachers and non profit organization access to thousands of brand new, high quality products for a fraction of retail cost. All merchandise is free, you just pay shipping and handling. All the above items I paid $25 for.